West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-09-09
FOR FARMERS.

ration applied to the surface will
prevent any rusting on plows or
any other metal surfaces: Melt one
ounce of resin in a gill of linseed
oil, and when hot mix with two
quarts of kerosene oil. This can be
Kept on hand and applied in a mo-
ment with brush OF. rag to the
metal surface of any tool that Is not
going to be used for a few days, pre-
venting any rust, and saving much
vexation when the time comes to use
it again.
In seeding down few farmers use
as great variety of seed as they
should. The consequence is that
meadows do not yield what they
might be made to, aud the pasture
or hay is less appetizing. The best
results of feeding are found by giving
variety. More will be eaten and
with better appetite. Besides the
traditional timothy and clover there
are many perennials highly esteemed
in Europe, but scarcely known to
most American farmers. tits good
sign for our farming that other gras-
ses than those heretofore sown are
now receiving much attention.
1t is astonishing how easily clover
is kept down by little trampling.
Walking through it few times in
one track while young makes path
plainly visible for weeks or months
after. The grasses are much more
hardy, and on light soil seem to
thrive rather better for some tram
pling, as it presses the soil closer
about their roots. This is one of
the strong argument against pastur-
ing clover. 1t is liked by all kinds
of stock when made into hay, but in
its early growth it has not nearly
so much sweetness as the grasses
whose roots run near the surface.
There is a difference in variety as
to the depth at which the young pota-
toes will form and it is not entirely
due to the way in which they are
planted. The Early Rose class OF
potatoes set near the surface. The
white varieties, such as White Star.
Burbank and st. Patrick. are deeper
in the soil. This makes the white
potatoes rather less liable to rot, as
the fungus which causes the disease
first forms on the leaves and then is
washed down to the tubcrs. Thus,
hilling potatoes is partial protec-
tion against rot, and is absolutely
necessary for Early Rose and other
kinds which naturally set near the
surface, and unless artilicially COW
cred are very likely to become sun
burnt.
Cigarette smoking is doing more
injury to the eyes than anything
know Of" said an optician recently
to reporter for newspaper In
the same journal somebody gives
this advice about caring for the eyes
Keep a shade on your lamp or gas
burner. Avoid all sudden changes
between light and darkness. Never
begin TO read, write or sew for sew.
cral minutes after coming from dark
ness to light. Never read by twi-
! light, moonlight or on cloudy days.
Never read or sew directly in front
of the light, window or door. 1t is
best to let the light fall from above
obliquely over the left shoulder.
Never sleep so that on first awaken
ing the eyes shall open on the light
of window. Do not use the eye
sight by light so scant that it re-
Quires an effort to discriminate. The
moment you are instinctively promp-
ted to rub your eyes that moment
stop using them. If the eyelids are
glued together on waking up do not
forcibly open them, but apply saliva
with the finger. it is the speediest
dilutant in the world; then wash
your eyes and face in warm water.